Arsenal consider signing Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie
Arsenal could strengthen their midfield with the addition of Weston McKennie from Juventus.
So far, Arsenal’s season has gone better than anyone could have ever expected. Their 3-2 victory over Manchester United at the weekend has silenced anyone still doubting their potential to win the league this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side has had a mixed transfer window so far, with the club missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk who joined Chelsea, but they have signed Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior.
The Gunners could also be boosted by the signing of Weston McKennie from Juventus. La Gazzetta Dello Sport has reported that “Arsenal is on the trail of McKennie” adding that “the Bianconeri are willing to negotiate for a reasonable offer, between 20 and 25 million on a fixed basis plus bonuses.”
Would joining Arsenal be a good move for McKennie?
McKennie is a player who has a lot of belief in himself having reportedly turned down moves to Bournemouth and Aston Villa recently. However, a transfer to the league leaders will surely be right for the player.
He has so far played for two big European clubs, Schalke 04 and Juventus. He has made over 90 appearances for each club and has 41 caps for the USMNT.
McKennie is predominantly a central midfielder so he will offer competition for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka. However, he may not be a long-term option for the club with Arsenal linked with a summer move for Declan Rice, which could limit his playing time.
So far in his career, McKennie has just won the Coppa Italia with Juventus. He is yet to win a league title, so joining the Gunners would put him in a good position to lift one at the end of this season.
Why does McKennie need to leave Juventus?
McKennie has not always been a first-choice starter for Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus, and he has often played out of position as a right-midfielder in recent games.
Juventus’ finances have been causing them problems, with the club being docked 15 points in Serie A for irregularities. They need to sell and McKennie is seen as a player they can allow to leave. The Old Lady has his position covered with Adrien Rabiot and Paul Pogba should return from injury soon.
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McKennie has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea this window, so if Arsenal is to get the move over the line, it would prevent him from strengthening a rival. Borussia Dortmund is another club who are reportedly interested in him, but with McKennie being a former Schalke player, moving to their rivals would not go down well with everyone in Gelsenkirchen.
McKennie is part of his country’s ‘MMA’ midfield, consisting of himself, Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams. The USA are co-hosting the next World Cup in 2026 and McKennie needs to make sure he finds a club that he can settle at ahead of that tournament. The transfer window closes a week tomorrow, so hopefully, McKennie makes the move that is right for him.